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2012 Air Shows
SAFI Aviation Park Open Day 2012
Location: The SAFI Aviation Park now lies within the perimeter of the Malta International Airport after alterations to re-route a public road and form a new taxi-way to the Aviation Park which up to last year housed only the Medavia hangar.
Admission: Entrance to the Park which housed the Open Day was free and included adequate free parking outside the park. Public transport was available too.
Parking: Free
Value: Excellent
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The SAFI Aviation Park Open Day 2012 was organised by Malta Enterprise and held on Sunday 7 th October 2012, a week after the Malta International Air show, enabling aircraft enthusiasts to have another opportunity to see closely operations relating to their hobby. The weather was excellent with clear blue skies. The organisers said that 8,000 people visited the Aviation Park.
The aim of the Open Day was to give the general public the opportunity to view the facilities at the Safi Aviation Park, a €17 million project inaugurated earlier this year. Moreover, the public was also being given the chance not only to meet stakeholders in the local aviation industry, ranging from the maintenance companies which operate from the park, to flight schools and microlight clubs, but also to learn more about the opportunities the industry offers through the presence of Malta Enterprise, the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC), which respectively highlighted business, training and employment opportunities.
The Aviation park currently has two tenants, Medavia and SR Technics. A third tenant, spray-painting company Aviation Cosmetics is currently planning the construction of a third facility. This would leave space for three more hangars, ranging in size between 2,500 sqm and 5,000 sqm each.
Numerous stands were set up by the local flying schools, local businesses and educational institutions, the Civil Protection as well as a token representation by the Armed Forces of Malta Air Wing. A refreshment and food stall was provided with tables and chairs to take a break. Prices were reasonable ranging from €1.50 for a soft drink to €5.50 for a Chicken/Lamb Donor. Restroom facilities were more than adequate. First Aid crews were also present.
Visitors could see work in progress on an Easy Jet Airbus 319-111 Reg HB-JZK and the opportunity to see the docking of an Orbest Arizonia Airbus 320-214 Reg EC-KYZ which had just landed at the Malta International Airport for a 2C check at the SR Technics hangar. At the Medavia hangar, visitors could see work in progress on the refitting of a United Nations Humanitarian Air Service Beech 1900D reg 9H-AFI.
Amongst the aircraft on display, one could find the following aircraft:
  • Armed Forces of Malta Bulldog reg no AS0021
  • Medavia Dash 8-300 reg no 9H-AEY
  • Medavia reg no 9H-AAP
  • Air Libya De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter reg no 5A-DHN
  • Sky People Tecnam P2002JF reg no 9H-SKY
  • Sky People Piper PA28-161 Warrior II reg no 9H-FLY
  • 9H-PAT Malta Wings Co. Ltd. Tecnam P2006T
  • Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II reg 9H-AEZ – European Pilot Academy
  • Cessna U206B Super Skywagon 9H-ADW – Malta School of Flying
  • Apollo Delta Jet 2 reg 9H-UDJ Buzz Flight Training
Robert Farrugia from Malta Enterprise told me that “The objectives of the Open Day were reached…the attendance was overwhelming with a steady flow of people throughout the day, with most visitors taking interest in what was being shown to them. This served to generate awareness about the industry, the opportunities it offers and the services currently available. Even participants in the Open Day had very good feedback to give. Given the very positive feedback received, Malta Enterprise will be looking into the possibility of organising another Open Day in the coming year, either once again at the Safi Aviation Park or otherwise at some other industrial zone which falls under the responsibility of Malta Industrial Parks. Through its various schemes, incentives and support services, Malta Enterprise has helped in the formation and consolidation of the local aviation industry. Amongst others, this may include the allocation of industrial space, as well as fiscal or financial assistance through its schemes and incentives aimed at facilitating investment and which may be used to support the construction of the facilities. On a different level, Malta Enterprise has also collaborated with MCAST on the development of training courses targeted at the aviation industry, thereby ensuring the availability of a skilled workforce ready to take up the opportunities being generated.”
Rating:N/R (not an air show)

 
Report and photography by Ray Pace for ASR Media LLC
  
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